Collisions claim 32 lives in South Yorkshire

Collisions claimed 32 lives on South Yorkshire roads last year, according to new figures.

Crashes also left 449 motorists, passengers and pedestrians seriously injured.

The figures were released as part of the Department for Transport’s ‘Think!’ safety campaign, which is this week highlighting the number of people killed on country roads - an average of 60 per cent of all collision casualties.

In South Yorkshire the figure stands at 56 per cent.

Road safety minister Robert Goodwill said: “Britain’s roads are among the safest in the world, but most people don’t know that motorists are 11 times more likely to die in an accident on a country road than on a motorway. On average three people die every day on Britain’s country roads and these are needless tragedies.

“I want the public to understand these risks and adapt their driving to the conditions they face. That is why the new Think! Country Road Campaign is so important – we are urging drivers to read the road ahead, select a safe speed and brake before the bend.”

Firefighters across South Yorkshire deal with an average of 250 road traffic collisions every year.

They are called out to cut casualties free from the mangled wreckage of vehicles, often in a race against time, when paramedics need to rush them to hospital.

Station manager Darren Perrott said officers are specially trained to deal with the incidents and the county’s fire service runs its Hope support group once a month for families affected by fatal collisions.

“Our advice is for road users to watch out for other road users, in this month alone we have dealt with incidents involving pedestrians, horse riders and cyclists. Give others the space they need,” he said.

“Many roads, especially non built up ones, are unlit so make sure you have appropriate lighting.

“It is important to slow down on bends and inclines and to make sure vehicles are ready for winter.”